After all, the best first dates are ones that seem perfect and memorable even if it seems like it’s all planned in the last minute.

One of the most important criteria of a perfect first date is to keep it exciting without bordering on discomfort.

Don’t overdo a first date. A first date should help both of you get to know each other on a romantic note. You really shouldn’t plan anything that will make your date squirm. Keep a few ideas in mind, if the date goes well, you can always use the other ideas.

In all probability, your new sweetheart will talk about the date with their friends. If you plan an exciting evening, your date’s friends will assume you’re an awesome catch and take your side even before meeting you. And that’s definitely something you want!

That conversation is the death knell on a date. It shows that you haven’t planned your date nor have you paid any attention to impressing your date or doing something exciting. If your date asks you to suggest something to do *especially if you’re the guy*, make sure you suggest something.

The perfect first date ideas

Firstly, contrary to popular belief, a movie is not a bad first date idea. Most guys and girls assume a movie date is wrong because both of you would hardly get to talk to each other. And that’s true.

But then again, sometimes it takes a while for both of you to feel comfortable around each other, even more so if one of you is shy. By sitting next to each other for over an hour and a half at the movies, it can help both of you feel more relaxed in each other’s presence. But just make sure the movie isn’t the highlight of the date. Do something else too, so both of you can bond better and get more time to talk to each other. [Read: Movie date tips to make your date memorable and fun]

I remember the first time I was on a date with a great girl. It was a coffee followed by a movie at the mall followed by a drink and dinner. And we surely did have a great time!

Three first date tips to keep in mind

#1 Don’t take your date to an isolated place, especially if both of you don’t know each other well.

#2 Play within your date’s comfort zone, and never push them into doing something that makes them feel uncomfortable.

#3 Don’t just hang out together on a date. Keep it exciting at all times.

Here are several really good date ideas that can help you make a great impression and woo your date too. But here’s a little secret you need to keep in mind. When you ask a special someone out on a first date, don’t just plan one activity.

Of these 50 first date ideas, use at least a couple or more of them on each date. Mix up the date idea combinations so you can keep the date exciting, and at the same time, comfortable and romantic too.

The best combinations to excite your date are comfort, excitement and finally romance in that order.

#6 Zoo. Walking through a zoo can help both of you feel really comfortable with each other. It’s hard to hold your excitement back when you’re staring at wild animals indulging in wild antics.

#7 Boat ride. Pick what you intend to do, a romantic paddle boat or one with an oar, or a jet ski to make the date exciting.

#8 Bowling. Bowling can be a lot of fun, even though it sounds like a total cliché. A bit of rivalry on a romantic date always spices things up.

#9 Street fair or carnivals. An explosion of colors is a wonderful thing to experience, and it can’t get better than a street fair or a carnival. You can spend hours together, act silly and still have a perfect date.

#10 Karaoke. Do you think you’re the best bathroom singer, or are you trying to impress your date with your showmanship? Nothing beats a karaoke bar.

#14 Arcade games. You may feel really awkward walking into a store full of kids. But it’ll only take a few games and a few minutes of awkwardness to bring out that inner child and have a wonderful date.

#15 A stand up show. Standup comedy is always funny, and a perfect date idea if you can couple it with dinner, either after the show or during the show.

#16 One hour classes. There are so many one hour classes that are perfect for dates, be it pottery, glass painting, or just about anything else. Just make sure you go somewhere where you can finish the class with a souvenir.

#17 A short walk. Take a walk on a quaint street you know well. Every few minutes or so of walking, find a new place to walk into, be it for a coffee or to try something exotic. Just don’t walk down a dark and lonely street unless you’re looking for a few dark corners.

#18 Wine tasting. Vineyards tours are very romantic and brewery tours are exciting and fun.

#19 Live jazz. There’s something very sexy and sensual about jazz, especially if both of you are having a drink and sitting next to each other in a dimly lit room.

#20 Beach. A day at the beach or an hour walking near the waves can make both of you feel really comfortable with each other. If you feel comfortable enough, don’t forget to hold hands. [Read: 20 ways to perfect your first date conversation]

#21 Aquarium. Aquariums are perfect to bring both of you closer, especially while pointing at fishes in a cool, blue surrounding.

#22 Museum. A museum may not be the typical date idea, but no matter which museum you go to, there’s a very good chance that you’d find something interesting to see for a couple of hours.

#24 Opera or a musical show. An opera or a musical show is perfect for a sophisticated date who loves a grand and colorful gesture.

#25 Ice cream parlor. Take your date back to their childhood by ordering a humongous portion of ice cream with all the works for them. Just looking at it will brighten your date’s smile *you can help your date finish it*.

#26 Themed restaurant. Themed restaurants are always fun, but for a first date, opt for something with a romantic touch, be it candlelight or a band of mariachis.

#27 Fishing. Drive down to a creek for a bit of lazy fishing or hire a boat to bag those bigger fishes, depending on what you want, romance or excitement.

#28 Gallery. If your date has an artist’s streak in them, make sure you take them to an art exhibition or a gallery. For someone who appreciates art, it’s always a beautiful experience.

#29 Planetarium. For the star gazing lovers, nothing beats the peaceful setting of a reclined seat in a planetarium. It’s dark, cozy and a complete out-of-the-world experience! [Read: 20 sure signs of attraction on a first date]

#30 Cook and eat. A typical cook and eat restaurant is a wonderful experience for anyone. It helps you bond and laugh while you goof up, and awe when you cook up a perfect little dish!

#31 Watch a movie at home. Cozying up under a blanket with a special someone can be romantic or sexual, as long as you pick the right movie. But invite a date home only if you know them well already. [Read: How to get a girl to kiss you by arousing her]

#32 Horseback riding. Women love it because it’s such a sexy rush, and men love it because they feel manlier. Can you ask for a better combination on a first date?

#33 Nature walks. If your date is an admirer of nature, go hiking on a short hiking trail before you stop in a beautiful setting to sit down together and spend a few moments of romantic time.

#34 Game of pool. A game of snooker or pool can be a good casual date, especially if both of you have some time to kill before heading somewhere else. It’s a lot more fun if you’re helping your date learn the game or if they’re playing for the first time. [Read: How to make out with a girl on a date without making a bold move]

#35 Historical sites. A trip down history lane can be good for two reasons, it’s peaceful and calming which can make your date feel comfortable in your company, and they sell souvenirs. A souvenir would always make your date think of you fondly each time they see it.

#36 Special events. Is there a special event in your city that comes around once a year? Special events and celebrations are a unique experience that can be memorable and fun too.

#37 Fortune teller. At some point on your date together, spend a while crystal gazing with your date. It’s a fun way to take a peek into your future and bond with your date. And if you do find yourself an eccentric fortune teller, it’ll be something your date won’t forget in a hurry.

#38 Ice skating. Ice skating or roller skating in a rink for an hour is a good way to spend an afternoon together before you head off to do something else. It’ll bring out your date’s inner child and it’ll be a laugh too. [Read: 30 subtle, obvious and sexy flirting tips for girls]

#39 A visit to a factory. If there are any happy factories around town, be it an ice cream factory, a cookie factory or a chocolate or confectionary factory, take your date out there. It’s not conventional, and worthy of a unique experience.

#40 Flower show. If your date loves flowers, don’t miss any opportunities to head to a flower show around your area code. It’s always romantic, especially if you gift your date a flower pot or two as a souvenir.

#41 Hot air balloon. Looking for an unforgettable first date idea? Well, a hot air balloon with a glass of champagne will definitely be something to talk about, don’t you think?

#42 Cook dinner for your date. A warm and loving gesture on a first date is a home cooked meal. It’s not cheap, it’s personal and shows off your effort and culinary skills all at once. [Read: 13 romantic dinner date ideas for two]

#43 Old fashioned eateries. There’s always a heritage eating joint in every city. It could be an old ice cream parlor or a bakery serving the best cupcakes or waffles.

#44 Spooky date. If your date’s adventurous, go to a haunted house. Not the real kind, but the fun kind where all the ghosts and skeletons are jack-in-the-boxes and there’s creepy music in the air. Each time you see a skeleton pop up, it’ll either be a laugh or a hair-raising experience. Either ways, it brings both of you closer!

#45 Bookstore. Are you on the first date with a book lover? If so, nothing beats a street lined with bookstores selling second hand books. It doesn’t matter how many books they’ve read, but no book lover can hold a smile back when they’re in the midst of thousands of quaint books. [Read: 6 ways to get a guy to kiss you on a date when you want him to]

#46 Rifle range. This is adrenalin pumping action at its best. If you want to get your date all worked up before a meal, head to a rifle range and fire a few rounds. It’ll definitely work up more than just the appetite.

#47 Indoor sports. Paintball and laser tag are good fun for groups of people. But sometimes, even a twosome can make for great fun that’s worth talking about on the second date.

#48 By the water. Do you have a calm lake or a pond around your place? If you’re looking for a romantic time with no distractions, pack a picnic basket with sandwiches and drinks and spend a good few hours in each other’s company.

#49 Old fashioned pub. Old Irish pubs or any quaint pubs that your date hasn’t been to would be a nice way to spend a while getting to know each other better. And if there’s a happy live band with a fiddle, well, you’re going to have a happy time for sure!

#50 Rent a chopper. Looking for a really grand gesture to impress your date and woo them on the very first date? Hire a chopper for a ride and soar through the night sky. It’s posh, expensive and something your date will love talking about, during the date and after the date too! [Read: 18 signs your date likes you on your very first date]

A souvenir from the date

Now you may have a huge list of great first date ideas. But there’s one more thing you need to remember.

If it’s possible, ensure that your new sweetheart leaves the date with someone memorable from the date. Not just flowers or a chocolate you gave, but something they can take back from their experience during the date *like a clay vase from the pottery class or a cute little prize you won at the carnival*. It always leaves a lasting impression of the happy kind, and plays a big part in impressing them. Each time they see the souvenir, they’ll think of you fondly. And that’ll work wonders in impressing your date before you plan the second date. [Read: The 7 stages of love for men and how they really fall for a girl]

The key behind amazing first date ideas

There is no dearth of opportunities for spectacular first dates these days. Everywhere you look, there’s a new way to enjoy a great first date. All you need to do is think creatively and plan something that you know your date would enjoy. [Read: 15 secrets to make your first kiss more memorable]

But beyond planning, remember the three stages of a good first date idea. Comfort. Adrenalin. Romance.

Keep your date in mind and mix and match two or three of these 50 first date ideas into one date, and you’ve got yourself a date that’ll sweep your new sweetheart off their feet before you kiss each other goodnight!

Liked what you just read? Like us on FacebookTwitterPinterest and we promise, we’ll be your lucky charm to a beautiful love life.

Chester Bloom
A practical thinker, Chester Bloom is a writer who loves a good conversation, a long walk in the park and great company....

Email this feature to your friend!

DISCUSSION

One thought on “Top 50 Amazing First Date Ideas to Wow your Date!”

Back in college I was invited to an ice rink with a girl I liked and some of her friends. I did not know how to ice skate and I did not pick it up very quickly but I wanted to try and impress her somehow. Well I hugged the wall the whole time and made a fool of myself. The highlight was when I saw a flash of light as I fell in front of a group of people. Turns out I had fallen right at the moment someone took a picture so my failure was immortalized forever. She took me back to my apartment and ended the relationship before it began.